The residents of Goldington Court in Middle Village spoke out about getting bombarded with warning letters for driving in the bus lane on Woodhaven Boulevard, and two weeks later they got the result they were hoping for.

The problematic camera on the corner of Goldington Court and Woodhaven Boulevard was removed on Feb. 2, according to local residents Herb Wagner and Liz Smith. Since the installation of the camera to enforce the rules of the new Select Bus Service on Woodhaven Boulevard, Wagner said that he and six other neighbors that live on Goldington Court received a total of 48 warnings between them for a driving scenario that was unavoidable.

Soon after the camera’s removal, it was replaced one block to the north on the corner of 64th Road and Woodhaven Boulevard. While it appears that the new camera placement should give the residents of Goldington Court the 200 feet necessary to legally turn from their street into the bus lane before making the next right at Furmanville Avenue, Wagner did not want to speculate.

Instead, he said he will wait to see the results, but he does “have a positive feeling that this will correct a dangerous situation.”

On Feb. 6, the Department of Transportation (DOT) released the following statement in an email to QNS: “After evaluating the location, DOT repositioned the bus lane camera in order to address community concerns and allow for better movement of turning vehicles onto Woodhaven Boulevard.”

The DOT said in a past statement that it would release a notice to the public before the warning period ends and the violations begin. Drivers ticketed for improperly driving in the bus lane on Woodhaven Boulevard will be fined anywhere from $115 to $150.

Smith was also unsure about the camera change, but the 84th Place resident who has built a “don’t mess with Smith” reputation as an advocate for the United Federation of Teachers will continue to speak out if the problem persists, she said.

Before and after images of the camera in question on the corner of Goldington Court and Woodhaven Boulevard, courtesy of Liz Smith.